The Earl's Stolen Bride (Marriage by Deceit Book 4)

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  “I didn’t expect you to come by before noon,” Chloe told her mother.

  Her mother stopped pacing. “I tried to wait, really I did, but I had to come as soon as I heard the good news.”

  “The good news?”

  Her mother hurried over to her, looking more like a child coming to get a toy than a refined lady. “Dr. Harvey has asked to visit you next week. He has something he wants to give you. I think it’s something that belonged to Lord Hawkins. Isn’t that wonderful?”

  “Can’t he just send it to me?”

  Her mother laughed as if she’d never heard a more ridiculous question. “Of course, he can’t just send it to you. This is something personal. He needs to deliver it in person. You were married to his good friend, Lord Hawkins.” She paused. “What was Lord Hawkins’ Christian name anyway?”

  Chloe had to think for a moment before she recalled it. “Francis.”

  “It’s strange I never thought to ask before.”

  It was probably because her mother loved saying Lord Hawkins all time, but Chloe kept her opinion to herself.

  “I suppose it doesn’t matter,” her mother said. “What matters is that we’ll go to Dr. Harvey’s for dinner. I suspect he heard about Lady Cadwalader’s visit. I told you her coming here would bring us great things! Who knew all this would happen simply because Lord Hawkins died?”

  As much as Chloe was relieved at his passing, it still seemed wrong to get excited about it, especially by tallying up the notable people who’d been taking note of them ever since it happened.

  “Is that all you came by to say?” Chloe finally asked, praying her mother would now leave so she could get back upstairs to Orlando.

  “Not entirely. I thought this would be a good time to get you a new hat for the dinner. You only have one that goes with your black dresses. You need another one.”

  “I’m afraid I’ll have to say no.” When she saw her mother frown in disappointment, she quickly added, “Not today. I’m busy. Maybe we can look for one next week. That way no one will have seen it yet.”

  “You make an excellent point. We’ll do it later.”

  Relieved, Chloe showed her mother out the door. Today, at least, her mother was content, and since she expected no one else to visit, she should have the entire day to be with Orlando, free of interruptions. After letting her lady’s maid know she was ready for her bath, she hurried up the stairs.

  ***

  Chloe did get to spend the rest of the day with Orlando as she’d hoped, but she wasn’t so fortunate the next day. Her mother stopped by, and this time she brought ten-year-old Alexander with her.

  “I asked to see Dr. Harvey’s wife today,” her mother explained. “She agreed, but she asked if you and Alexander would come.”

  “Why does she want to see me?” Chloe asked, glancing out the drawing room doors. How was she supposed to leave Orlando here? In another two days, he’d return to his townhouse, and who knew how often she’d get to see him then?

  “Because you’re quickly becoming an important person in London. This is a wonderful opportunity. I don’t want you to miss it.”

  “But I’m in mourning. I shouldn’t be going outside.”

  “Nonsense. You can visit her. You just can’t go to the ball or theatre. Just because Lord Hawkins died, it doesn’t mean you did.”

  No, it didn’t, but it sure seemed that way since she was caged up in her townhouse most of the time and unable to be honest about her marriage to Orlando.

  Her mother walked over to her and patted her arm. “Chloe, if you visit with Mrs. Harvey, you just might secure the attention of the Duchess of Aubrey.” With an excited squeal, she added, “She’s just as influential as Lady Cadwalader, if not more.”

  “Can’t you go without me? Tell her I’m not feeling well. I’m too sad over the loss of Lord Hawkins to go anywhere.”

  “But, Chloe,” her mother’s voice lowered, “this is advantageous for you. I arranged this visit in order to advance your reputation. If you don’t want to do this for your sake, then what about your brother’s?”

  Chloe looked at Alexander, knowing even as she did so, she wasn’t going to be able to say no. Her mother must have brought her brother along just so she’d feel guilty if she said no.

  “How long is this visit, Mother?” Chloe halfheartedly asked.

  “Only an hour,” her mother said. “Then you can return here and mourn the passing of your husband for the rest of the day.”

  Chloe bit down on her tongue so she wouldn’t blurt out Orlando was her husband, not Lord Hawkins. But then, she figured her mother only said this because Alexander was in the room and the butler just entered the room to take the tea and crumpets away. Her mother would be careful not to let Chloe’s new marriage slip. If Chloe could say one thing about her mother, it was that the lady did a marvelous job keeping a secret.

  “All right, Mother,” Chloe finally replied. “One hour. Then you’ll bring me back here.”

  Her mother nodded.

  Chloe glanced at Alexander and smiled. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  “You look presentable enough to go now,” her mother said as Chloe turned toward the doorway.

  Spinning on her heel, she faced her mother and gave her a pointed look. “There’s something I need to do first.”

  Her mother’s eyebrows furrowed for a moment before her eyes lit with understanding. “Oh. I didn’t realize it was here already.”

  “It is.” As much as Chloe hated to refer to Orlando as an ‘it’, she saw no other way around the term.

  “What’s here?” Alexander asked.

  Her mother chuckled and patted his shoulder. “A hat, my dear. She needs to get her new hat.”

  Chloe decided not to add to her mother’s lie. It was enough she was sneaking Orlando into her bedchamber and keeping him there all day. She didn’t need to pile on more lies. It was surprisingly difficult to be so secretive about everything.

  But she and Orlando could leave in a couple weeks. Then they wouldn’t have to keep sneaking around as if they were doing something wrong. Taking comfort in the reminder, she left the room, went up the stairs, and slipped into her bedchamber.

  Orlando waved her over to the bed then patted the spot next to him. “I kept your side warm.” He wiggled his eyebrows and grinned. “Take off your dress, and we’ll pick up where we left off before your mother came by.”

  With a heavy sigh, she went over to the bed and sat next to him. “I’m sorry, Orlando, but I can’t. Not right now. I have to see Dr. Harvey’s wife.” She leaned into him. “I won’t be long, though. It’ll only be for an hour.”

  “You don’t want to go,” he said, his voice soft.

  Surprised he’d read her mind so well, she asked, “Is it that obvious?”

  “Yes. You’re no longer smiling.” He caressed her cheek. “I don’t like it when you’re glum.”

  “I don’t enjoy these visits. They’re people she wants to see. I’d rather be here with you.”

  He studied her for a moment as his fingers brushed the back of her neck in a soothing manner. “Does your mother see you every day?”

  “She didn’t while Lord Hawkins was alive, but it seems she’s over all the time now that he’s dead.” She hesitated to add anything else, but she couldn’t imagine keeping anything from him. “It seems ever since he died, the most prominent members of the Ton want to see me. In order to see them, she needs to be with me.”

  “Did it ever occur to you she’s using you?”

  “Of course, it has. I’m not so naïve I don’t know what my mother’s doing.”

  “I don’t like this, Chloe. She’s making you do things you don’t want to do, and that’s not fair.”

  “It’s not easy to tell her no. She has a way of saying things that makes me wish I hadn’t.” When he frowned, she rested her head on his shoulder. “I know how she is, and I know I should say no. It’s just…just…” She didn’t even know how to explain
it, and she suspected no matter how much she tried, he wouldn’t understand. Not fully anyway.

  After a moment, he enveloped her in his arms and kissed the top of her head. “If we could be open about our marriage, then I could be with you when you say no. Then she’d have a harder time compelling you to do what she wants.”

  “I suppose you think I’m weak.”

  “I think you want to please people, so you feel guilty if you say no. It’s because you have a big heart. Unfortunately, some people have no trouble taking advantage of you.”

  “You know me so well it’s frightening.”

  “I don’t know if I know you all that well. I still have much to learn. It just doesn’t take a lot of guessing to see what’s going on with you and your mother.”

  Probably not. But she hated the fact that she seemed so weak, especially to him. She should be able to stand on her own two feet and say no to her mother. She was a married lady, after all.

  Orlando kissed her again, this time on the lips, and gave her a reassuring smile. “Soon we’ll be by ourselves in the country. Then you don’t have to worry about her.”

  “You’re remarkably understanding about this.”

  He took her hand and kissed it. “I’m just glad we’ll be together all winter.”

  “I am, too.” She kissed him, allowing herself the pleasure of getting lost in their own world for few more minutes before she went back downstairs.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “So you’re Lord Hawkins’ widow,” Mrs. Harvey greeted Chloe as Chloe followed her mother and Alexander into the lady’s drawing room. Mrs. Harvey curtsied then turned to her mother and Alexander, offering them a curtsy as well. “I’ve wanted to have you over sooner,” she told Chloe, “but I had to go to France with my sister earlier this Season. They have the most exquisite dresses there.”

  “Do they?” Chloe’s mother asked.

  “I’m wearing one now,” Mrs. Harvey said then spun around. “What do you think?”

  “It is divine.”

  Chloe glanced at Alexander, amused when her brother rolled his eyes. The poor boy. What he must think of spending the afternoon with a bunch of ladies.

  Mrs. Harvey came over to Chloe and clasped her hands. “My husband and Lord Hawkins were such good friends. Lord Hawkins made us a lot of money. It’s because of his ships we were able to afford everything we have. We owe Lord Hawkins so much. That’s why I wanted to see you when your mother’s correspondence came.”

  Chloe tried to think of a proper response. If Chloe had had any attachment to Lord Hawkins, the moment wouldn’t have been so awkward, but it was hard to fully appreciate the lady’s words since he’d been a stranger to her.

  “I’m afraid my daughter is speechless,” her mother spoke up.

  Thankful her mother intervened, Chloe nodded and, for good measure, dabbed her eyes. “Yes, I am.”

  “It’s nice he was loved so well,” Mrs. Harvey replied.

  Chloe lowered her gaze. She couldn’t maintain eye contact with the lady, not when she was lying to her.

  “And this is Alexander.” Mrs. Harvey turned to Chloe’s brother. “I hear you were near death when my husband began caring for you.”

  “Yes, Mrs. Harvey,” he replied.

  “But you’re doing better now.”

  “Yes.” Chloe’s mother gave him a slight nod, indicating he should say more, and he added, “All because of Dr. Harvey.”

  Mrs. Harvey laughed. “That’s what I like to hear. My husband is London’s finest physician.” She let out a sigh then continued, “Well, my lad, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. My husband commends you often. You do as you’re told and don’t complain. If more people followed your example, they’d probably fare better than they have.”

  Alexander beamed at her. “Thank you, Mrs. Harvey.”

  Chloe’s lips curled up. Now she understood why Alexander was doing so well under Dr. Harvey’s care. If the physician was anything like his wife, then he was encouraging and supportive, two things Alexander needed most, being the sensitive soul he was.

  “Sit,” Mrs. Harvey told them, gesturing to her chairs and settee. “We’ll have some tea and a treat for the boy.”

  “A treat?” he asked, his eyes wide with interest.

  She winked. “I hope you like chocolate.”

  “Oh, I do.”

  Chloe chuckled. Mrs. Harvey was a surprisingly nice lady, and for once, Chloe didn’t mind the fact that her mother dragged her somewhere she didn’t want to be.

  ***

  Two days later before dawn, Orlando went back to his townhouse. Chloe knew it would be difficult to spend the day without him, having gotten so used to him being around so often, but she didn’t realize just how difficult it would be. She spent the morning pacing around her bedchamber. Three times, she tried to take a nap on the daybed, thinking it would help pass the time until Orlando returned in a couple days.

  But her excitement over seeing him again prevented her from slipping into a blissful sleep. She tried to pretend he was holding her in his arms. Though she’d slept fine when he’d been there, imagining him beside her wasn’t good enough. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t sleep.

  So she finally gave up and decided to leave the house before her mother stopped by for another visit. She put on a black dress she hadn’t worn yet then she asked the coachman to take her to Helena’s.

  If she hadn’t been so preoccupied with thoughts of Orlando, she would have gone earlier. But so much had happened, and it’d happened so fast she had trouble remembering to do a lot of things.

  On her way to Helena’s, she pulled the neatly folded parchment out of her reticule and opened it so she could read Orlando’s poem. He’d told her he had no poetic ability when he gave it to her, but she thought it was the best thing she’d ever read, besides the missives. Even now, her heart fluttered as she read his words:

  Enraptured by your grace from afar,

  I could only meet you in my dreams

  Until the day you became my wife;

  Since that time, I have only loved you more,

  Each new dawn bringing more joy than the last

  Chloe, my dear, you bring meaning to my life.

  She smiled and thought of that day he asked her to go to Gretna Green with him. Truly, it was the best decision she’d ever made, and she was ever thankful she hadn’t delayed their marriage for another year.

  The carriage came to a stop, and she folded the poem, careful as she did so. She slipped it back into her reticule just as the footman opened the door. She took his hand and let him help her down.

  On her way up the steps to the front door, it opened and Helena waved her in. “I thought I saw your carriage pull up.”

  “Yes, I thought I’d come for a visit, but I didn’t give you any warning.”

  “You picked an ideal time. My next client won’t be here for another hour.”

  Chloe stepped through the doorway then followed her friend into the hall. “I’m sorry I haven’t been by in a few days.”

  “I figured you had something important to do.”

  Helena’s sly grin alerted Chloe that Helena knew full well she’d been spending time with Orlando. Face warm, Chloe said, “Yes, I did.”

  After Helena told the butler to bring them tea and crumpets, she shut the doors and turned to her. “You look happy.”

  “Do I?” She went over to the small mirror on the wall, and sure enough, she looked like a lady in love, not one mourning the passing of her first husband. “I didn’t realize it was so apparent. Do you think people know I’m married?”

  “No. It’s no secret you didn’t know your husband all that well. You’re not the first widow who’s glad to be free.”

  “I hope they assume that. I’m not supposed to be married so soon.”

  “Ironic, isn’t it? A gentleman is expected to marry right away, especially if he has children, but a lady is expected to wait. It’s not at all fair when y
ou think of it.”

  “You’re right. It’s not.”

  Helena went over to her and hugged her. “But I’m happy for you, Chloe. Your face glows with your newfound love.”

  “This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  “I know, and I’m glad. You deserve it.”

  The butler came into the room to set the tea and crumpets on the table, and they waited until he was gone before they continued talking.

  “How are you and Camden doing?” Chloe asked.

  “Very well. I admit, I didn’t think we would be, given the way he kissed me at Lord Roderick’s ball, but things have gone much better than I dared hope.”

  Chloe thanked her friend as she accepted her cup of tea. “It’ll be nice when I can let others know about my marriage. Then you and Camden can come visit Orlando and me, or we can visit you two. We could have a dinner party.”

  “A dinner party would be nice,” Helena agreed.

  Chloe took a sip of her tea, noting the trace of peppermint in it. “This is good.”

  “I’m glad you like it. I thought I’d try something different for a change. Would you like a crumpet?” she asked as she picked one up.

  “No thank you. The tea is enough.”

  In fact, the tea was all she needed. Since Orlando went back to his townhouse, she hadn’t had much of an appetite. The tea, however, helped settle the slight discomfort in her stomach. And, of course, it helped that she was talking with Helena instead of listening to her mother.

  “It’s nice to be here,” Chloe told her friend. “My mother has been over to see me every day since I came back to London. Well, she hasn’t been by to see me today.” With a smile, she added, “Yet.”

  Helena swallowed the crumpet she’d been eating and leaned toward her, her eyes twinkling. “If you ever need a place to hide, you can come here, though I’m surprised you’re not hiding at your husband’s townhouse.”